Any person employed by a public educational system or institution in a position which requires a certificate issued by the state board of examiners, or employed in a professional educational capacity by a school, college, or university which is either tax-supported or operated under contract with the state or on behalf of the state, who is a member of the senate or general assembly of the state of New Jersey, shall be entitled to time off from his duties as such employee, without loss of pay, during the periods of his attendance at regular or special sessions of the legislature and hearings or meetings of any legislative committee or commission.
N.J.S. § 18A:6-8.1